And the former Black Cats star believes his old club CAN claim an “absolutely tremendous” top six Premier League finish.

Todd – of Chester-le-Street and now a consultant with the sporting arm of local firm BHP Law – started his career at Sunderland and made almost 200 appearances for the club before bigger and better things with Brian Clough’s Derby County, and England.

Having then managed a host of clubs, he knows from experience that plenty of football’s chairmen and directors adhere strictly to Len Shackleton’s famous old summation.

Not Quinn though, Todd says, and the Irishman’s understanding of the game along with Bruce’s eye for recruitment are, he adds, key to Sunderland’s success.

“If they can maintain their form across the season and finish in the top eight, or even the top six, it would be absolutely tremendous.

“I think they can do it.

“Even the sale of Darren Bent doesn’t seem to have affected them too badly because other people have come in and scored goals.

“They have had a little spell where they’ve lost a bit of momentum, but this breather without a game for a fortnight might just be the tonic they need to freshen up and get back into form.

“Steve Bruce is doing a great job there and the big thing for him is that he’s got a football-orientated chairman in Niall Quinn.

“We always talk about pressure in football, but a major factor at Sunderland is that Niall knows about the game – unlike a lot of chairmen – and that’s a big help for Steve.

“You’ve got to have a good relationship with the chairman and the board. It can keep the pressure off and stop any sign of panic.

“That’s worked to their advantage, as well as Steve accruing some very good and, importantly, young players.

“He’s brought in some top players from across the world, who’ve settled into the squad quite quickly and started to produce.

“He’s also got local lads, such as Jordan Henderson, who’s done very well.

“There might come a time when it all catches up with him and he needs a breather. But to have already earned an England call-up at his age, which is not easy especially in the North East, shows how well he’s done and how well Sunderland are doing.

“They’re getting noticed for their achievements and the future looks good.”

It seems likely to unfold with Michael Kay, however.

The Sunderland defender is on a season-long loan at Tranmere Rovers and, as his representative, Todd is working on a permanent deal.

“Michael went to Tranmere for a month initially, and they liked what they saw and asked to keep him until the end of the season,” Todd said. “He was going nowhere, but now he’s playing first-team football and Tranmere have had a good little run. We’ve talked about him going there longer term and now it’s a case of wait and see.

“The important thing, in my new role, is that there’s a relationship of trust with the player.

“That takes time, but the player’s welfare is paramount.

“We would never force a player into a move. We can only offer our honest advice and as a legal company we can also help with that side of things.

“It’s a new challenge for me. I do miss management, but it’s nice to be involved in the game again. It’s a lot of travelling, but I’m enjoying it.

“As well as myself, Gary Gill and Gary Bennett are also involved, and between us we bring a lot of experience to the company. What we’ve achieved in the game can only stand us, the company and our clients in good stead.”